Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism
Volume 2020 (2020), Article ID 3670895, 12 pages
https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/3670895

Research Article

Overnutrition and Associated Factors: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study between Government and Private Primary School Students in Gondar Town, Northwest Ethiopia

Mohammed Sied Ali,¹ Chanyalew Worku Kassahun,² and Chalachew Adugna Wubneh¹

¹Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
²Department of Comprehensive Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia

Correspondence should be addressed to Chalachew Adugna Wubneh; mekidem21@gmail.com

Received 10 April 2020; Revised 14 September 2020; Accepted 17 September 2020; Published 1 October 2020

Academic Editor: Abdah Md Akim

Copyright © 2020 Mohammed Sied Ali et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

Introduction. Childhood overnutrition is a public health problem in low- and middle-income countries because its effect is likely to progress into adulthood that results in developing noncommunicable diseases at a younger age. There is no such previous comparative study that investigated this issue. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the prevalence and associated factors of overnutrition among government and private primary school students in Gondar town, northwest Ethiopia. Methods. Institution-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from March 5 to April 9, 2019. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 736 participants. Data were collected through face-to-face interview. Data was entered into EPI-info version 7.2.1.0 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regressions were carried out to identify associated factors with overnutrition. Statistical significance was declared using value< 0.05. Results. The overall prevalence of overnutrition was 9.1%. The prevalence was higher among private schools (51 (14%)) than government (16 (4.3%)). Eating habit while watching television (AOR = 4.08, 95%CI: 1.10–15.16) and not having close friend (AOR = 3.72, 95%: CI: 1.21–2 11.48) were significantly associated with overnutrition in the government schools, while no father education (AOR = 2.59, 95%:CI:1.05–6.39), sweet food preference (AOR = 2.86, 95%:1.19–6.87), fat consumption more than three days per week (AOR = 3.79, 95%CI:1.61–8.91), eating habit while reading (AOR = 4.95, 95%CI:2.29–10.70), and vigorous-intensity sports (AOR = 2.23, 95%:1.02–4.86) were associated with overnutrition in private schools. Conclusion. Prevalence of overnutrition was higher among private than government schools. Hence, it requires attention through creating awareness about healthy diet, healthy lifestyle, and physical activity in collaboration with health and education sectors.

1. Introduction

Overnutrition is defined as abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat in the adipose tissue that may affect the health status of individuals. It is the sum of overweight and obesity [1]. World Health Organization (WHO) defines overweight as body mass index (BMI) for age, Z-score between +1 and + 2 standard deviation (SD), and obesity as BMI for age and Z-score > +2 SD [2]. The prevalence of overnutrition among children and adolescents (aged 5–19) has risen dramatically from 4% in 1975 to just over 18%; over 340 million children and adolescents aged 5–19 were overweight or obese worldwide in 2016 [3]. Overweight and obese children are more likely to stay obese into adulthood and more likely to develop chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus, hypertension and coronary artery disease at a younger age, and increased future risks of breathing difficulties, fractures, insulin resistance, cancer, asthma, and psychological comorbid effects [4]. In addition, overnutrition is related to more deaths worldwide than undernutrition. Over 71% of all deaths globally are due to noncommunicable diseases (NCD) [4].

Lifestyle and diets of children from urban areas make it sufficiently more risky to be overweight compared to children living in deprived rural environments [5]. Another challenging issue related to overnutrition is poor school performance of the students in their academic score [6]. Many studies emphasized the positive relationship between obesity and poor school performance [7]. Childhood obesity can profoundly affect children's physical, social, and emotional well-being. It is also associated with a lower quality of life experienced by the child [8]. A study in Africa and other developing countries has documented an emerging trend of malnutrition with overweight and obesity increasing at an alarming rate in comparison to undernutrition [9].

This shifting comes with increased access to high-calorie foods and less strenuous jobs resulting in many individuals having a positive energy balance and hence becoming overweight or obese [10]. In Sub-Saharan Africa, most nutrition efforts have focused on undernutrition among children, but the focus is low on overnutrition [11]. Globalization, improving economic conditions, and changing dietary habits in developing countries are reported as responsible for the rapid increase in overnutrition [12].

Factors contributing to overnutrition are foods that are high in fats, sugars, energy-dense foods, and increasing low-intensity activity due to new modes of transportation and rapid urbanization, which continue to dramatic changes in living environments as well as in diets and lifestyles that promote positive energy balance [13]. The coexistence of undernutrition and overnutrition also known as double burden of malnutrition (DBM) is a recent emerging nutritional problem stated in low- and middle-income countries like Ethiopia [14].

However, the federal ministry of health and other organizations like Ethiopian public health institute and Ethiopian nutritional institute tried to disseminate the information in different media and health institutions about healthy eating habit and regular physical activity to reduce the burden of nutritional problems, but the problem is shifting from undernutrition to overnutrition. Even if there were some studies about overnutrition among children in Ethiopia, but there is limited studies in epically comparing burden of overnutrition among private and governmental school children with significant economical different population in the same seating.

Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence and associated factors of overnutrition among government and private primary school children in Gondar town. The finding of this study will be important to take the appropriate measurement for the problem of the targeted population.

2. Methods

2.1. Study Design and Period

Institution-based comparative cross-sectional study design was conducted from March 5/2019 to April 9/2019.

2.2. Study Area and Population

The study was conducted among the second cycle (Grades 5–8) primary school students in Gondar town. The town is found 748 km far away from Addis Ababa. Gondar is the fourth largest city in Ethiopia with a population of 358,257 people according to Gondar town statistics office. Gondar is the city in the central Gondar zone which is in the Amhara region located in the Northwest part of Ethiopia.

2.3. Source Population

It comprises all second cycle (5–8 grades) primary school students who were registered in 2018/2019 academic year in Gondar town.

2.4. Study Population

It comprises all second cycle (5–8 grades) primary school students who were selected randomly.

2.5. Inclusion Criteria

They comprise all primary school students, whose grades were 5–8 and those students who are under the age of 18 years.

2.6. Exclusion Criteria

They comprise students who were critically sick during data collection and those who were unable to communicate verbally.

2.7. Sample Size Determination

The sample size for this study was estimated by two methods for the two specific objectives; lastly, the larger sample was taken, the first sample size was determined by using a double population proportion formula by considering the following statistical assumptions: 95% CI, taking the prevalence of overnutrition, p1 = 23.0% in private and p2 = 4.3% in government from the previous study done in Addis Ababa which was conducted in both private and government schools (25):

where p1 is proportion of overnutrition in private, p2 is proportion of overnutrition in the government school,  power = 0.84, confidence level = 1.96, 10% nonresponse rate added, and design effect 2, and the calculated sample size is equal to 108 for each and total sample size  is 216.

For the factors, the sample size was calculated using EPI-info from the factors that are significantly associated with overnutrition in the previous studies to select the factor having a maximum possible sample size by using 95% confidence interval and power 80% for all variables.

So, the total sample size for this study is 774. Since the ratio is one to one, 387 from private and 387 from government schools were selected and participated in the study.

2.8. Sampling Procedure

Multistage sampling method was used to select the study participants. All primary schools (31 primary schools) in Gondar town were stratified into government and private schools. Lottery method was used to select 40% of the 31 schools based on WHO tools for assessment guideline [15]. Seven schools from 17 government schools and 5 private schools from 14 private schools were selected randomly. From each of the 12 schools, all sections of Grades 5, 6, 7, and 8 were separately enlisted and one section from each grade was selected by lottery method. A total of 7,261 children were enumerated from the recruited schools. Finally, to select 774 study participants, systematic random sampling technique was used from the selected sections. Proportional allocation used the formula ni = (n/N) × Ni, where n is total sample size to be selected, N is total population, Ni is total population of each school, and ni is sample size from each school.

2.9. Data Collection Tools and Procedures

Structured, pretested, and interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Most of the questions were adapted from previous study [16] and physical activity related questions were adopted from the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) analysis guide [17]. Dietary related questions were adopted from the Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance [18].

The selected children were well informed about the procedures. For those well-informed children, a few and too simple questions were sent to home that would be completed with their parents (any guardian) and were returned the following day. All the participating students were interviewed at school outside the classroom to keep responding freely and correctly. Anthropometric measurement of weight and height was done using calibrated measuring tools. Height was measured to the nearest 0.5 cm in standing position at Frankfurt plane with the occipital, shoulder, and the buttock touching the vertical stand using a stadiometer. Weight was measured to the nearest 0.5 kg using weighing scale while wearing light clothes and shoes. Data were collected by four BSc nurses and data collectors were supervised by two MSc nurses.

2.10. Data Quality Control

The questionnaire was prepared first in English and then it was translated to the Amharic language and back to English language. It was reviewed by language experts for consistency of translation of the language and it was reviewed by nutritionists to check its appropriateness for assessing overnutrition in children. Data collectors and supervisors were trained for two days about the whole procedures of data collection.

The data were collected after pretest was conducted on 5% of primary school students other than those included in the actual study; then ambiguous questions were corrected and unnecessary questions were excluded based on the pretest.

The investigators and supervisors had day-to-day on-site supervision during the whole period of data collection. Weighting scale was calibrated and placed in level surface before and after each measurement. Continuous checkup of scales was carried out throughout the data collection. The completeness of the questionnaire was checked before data entry.

2.11. Data Processing and Analysis

Data were first coded and entered using EPI-info version 7.2.1.0 for data exploration and cleaning. The cleaned data were exported to SPSS version 20 statistical packages for statistical analysis. Descriptive and summary statistic was carried out to describe study participants according to different characteristics. Independent variables for sociodemographic characteristics such as age, monthly family income, and family size were analyzed after conversion into categorical variables.

Magnitude of overnutrition was determined by importing age, sex, height, and weight of the participants into WHO Anthro-Plus version 1.0.4; then BAZ was imported to SPSS. BAZ status was recoded to overnutrition and non-overnutrition. The binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with overnutrition. Three models were fitted independently, the whole sample (for government, private, and combined), for the government school and for private schools. The model fitness for each model was tested by Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness of fitness, and the results of the test showed that the models were fit for each three models.

To check an interaction or effect modification of the independent variables, multicolinearity of the independent variables was checked using the variance inflation factor. There is no multicolinearity among the independent variables. Bivariable associations between dependent and several independent variables were examined one by one and those variables with value less than 0.2 were entered to multivariable logistic regression. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with overnutrition by controlling the effect of potential confounding variables. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% CI was computed to assess the level of association and statistical significance. Statistical significance was declared using value less than 0.05. The result of this study is described in texts, tables, and graphs.

2.12. Ethical Considerations

Ethical clearance was obtained from the institutional review board of University of Gondar. Written informed consent was obtained from a parent or guardian for participants under 16 years old, after informing them all the purpose, benefit, risk, the confidentiality of the information, and the voluntary nature of the participation in the study. Then assent was obtained from the children. Participation was on voluntary basis and confidentiality was maintained to encourage accurate and honest self-disclosure. In addition to ethical clearance support, the latter was communicated with all concerned offices.

3. Results

3.1. Sociodemographic Characteristics of the Parents

A total of 736 children-parent pairs (50.5% from government and 49.5% from private schools) participated in the study with 95.09% response rate. The median monthly income of the family was 4000 with Inter-Quartile Range (IQR), 2000–6000 Ethiopian birr. One-third (33.6%) of children in government schools and approximately half (48.1%) of the children’s father in private schools attended college and above level of education (Table 1).

Table 1: Parents sociodemographic characteristics among primary school students in Gondar town, 2019 (n = 736).

Variables
Response
Government, (n = 372)
Private, (n = 364)

Frequency
%
Frequency
%

Paternal education
Unable to read and write
28
7.5
11
3.0

Able to read and write
134
36.0
66
18.1

Primary school level
34
9.1
42
11.5

Secondary school level
51
13.7
70
19.2

College and above
125
33.6
175
48.1

Maternal education
Unable to read and write
53
14.3
21
5.8

Able to read and write
110
29.6
63
17.3

Primary school level
58
15.6
42
11.5

Secondary school level
60
16.1
86
23.6

College and above
91
24.3
152
42.8

Occupation of the head of household
Merchant
117
31.5
118
32.4

Private employee
84
22.6
83
22.8

Government employee
100
26.9
118
32.4

NGO
23
6.2
23
6.3

Daily laborer
31
8.6
7
1.9

Pension
8
2.2
7
2.0

Farmer
4
1.1
3
1.0

Housewife
5
1.3
4
1.1

Religion
Orthodox
273
73.4
280
76.9

Muslim
84
22.6
51
14.0

Protestant
15
4.0
33
9.1

Monthly income
Below the median
230
61.8
134
36.8

Above the median
142
38.2
230
63.2

Family size
<5
100
26.9
208
57.1

≥5
272
73.1
156
42.9

Family car owner
Yes
26
7.0
45
12.4

No
346
93.0
319
87.6

3.2. Children’s Sociodemographic Characteristics

Among a total of 736 children who participated in the study, almost half (51.1%) were males and 48.9% were females in government schools. In private schools, 53.3% were females and 46.7% were males. The median age of the children was 13 years with IQR, 13–15 years. Two hundred seven (55.6%) from government and one hundred fifty-eight (43.4%) from private schools were above 14 years old (Table 2).

Table 2: Children’s sociodemographic characteristics among primary school students in Gondar town, 2019 (n = 736).

Variables
Response
Government, n = 372
Private, n = 364

Frequency
%
Frequency
%

Sex
Male
190
51.1
170
46.7

Female
182
48.9
194
53.3

Age
11–13 years
165
44.4
206
56.6

14–17 years
207
55.6
158
43.4

Grade
Grade 5
71
19.1
78
21.4

Grade 6
107
28.8
108
29.7

Grade 7
90
24.2
119
32.7

Grade 8
104
28.0
59
16.2

Having close friends
Yes
292
78.5
294
80.8

No
80
21.5
70
19.2

3.3. Dietary Habit and Food Preference-Related Characteristics

Among the total participants, the majority (87.9%) in government schools and 91.5% in private schools of the children had breakfast before going to school. Two hundred twenty-five (60.5%) of the children from government and two hundred eighteen (59.9%) from private schools prefer sweet foods (Table 3).

Table 3: Dietary habit and food preference related characteristics among primary school students in Gondar town, 2019 (n = 736).

Variables
Response
Government, n = 372
Private, n = 364

Frequency
%
Frequency
%

Breakfast intake
Yes
327
87.9
333
91.5

No
45
12.1
31
8.5

Number of days breakfast intake per week
Once
14
4.2
12
3.6

2–4 days
98
29.7
115
34.3

5 and above days
218
66.1
208
62.1

Snack intake
Yes
320
86.0
319
87.6

No
52
14.0
45
12.4

Snack intake per day
Once
276
86.3
284
78.0

≥2 times
44
7.8
38
10.4

Meal frequency per day
1–2 times
70
18.9
53
14.6

3 times
234
62.9
241
66.4

≥4 times
68
18.2
69
19.0

Place of getting lunch
Home
351
94.4
337
92.6

Outside home
10
2.7
16
4.4

Did not use lunch
11
3.0
11
3.0

Sweet food preference
Yes
225
60.5
218
59.9

No
147
39.5
146
40.1

Foods bought other than regular meal
Not buy
107
28.8
88
24.2

Biscuit/chocolate
127
34.2
148
40.7

Cake/ice cream
94
25.3
92
25.2

Chips
26
7.0
20
5.5

Potato
5
1.3
5
1.4

Cabbage
5
1.3
7
2.2

Bread
8
2.2
4
1.1

Eating habit while watching TV
Yes
202
54.3
222
61.0

No
170
45.7
142
39.0

Eating habit while reading
Yes
59
15.9
73
20.1

No
313
84.1
291
79.9

Meat/poultry/fish
No
150
40.3
92
25.2

1-2 times per week
1 57
42.2
158
43.4

≥3 times per week
65
17.5
114
31.3

Fat/oil consumption
No
167
44.9
158
43.5

1-2 times per week
109
29.3
105
28.8

≥3 times per week
96
25.8
101
27.7

Fruit consumption per week
No
44
11.8
27
7.4

1 day
134
36.0
143
39.3

≥2 days
193
51.9
194
53.3

Vegetable consumption per week
No
37
9.9
30
8.2

1-2 days
185
49.7
190
52.2

≥3 days
150
40.3
144
39.6

Soft drink consumption per week
No
55
14.8
80
22.0

1-2 days
205
55.1
186
51.1

≥3 days
112
30.1
98
26.9

3.4. Physical Activities and Sedentary Lifestyle-Related Characteristics

Among a total of 736 children, 60.5% in government and 62.4% in private schools were involved in vigorous-intensity sports outside their school for at least 10 minutes, while for moderate-intensity sports 62.9% from government and 64.0% from private schools were involved outside their school for at least 10 minutes. Two hundred ninety-eight (80.1%) of the children in government and majority (86.0%) of the children from private schools traveled on foot/rode bicycle for at least 10 minutes (Table 4).

Table 4: Physical activities and sedentary lifestyle-related characteristics among primary school students in Gondar town, 2019 (n = 736).

Variables
Response
Government (n = 372)
Private (n = 364)

Frequency
%
Frequency
%

Walk on foot/ride bicycle for at least 10 min
Yes
298
80.1
313
86.0

No
74
19.9
51
14.0

Number of days to walk/ride bicycle per week
1-2 days
38
12.8
84
26.6

3-4 days
57
19.1
74
23.4

≥5 days
203
68.1
158
50.0

Vigorous-intensity sports for at least 10 min
Yes
225
60.5
227
62.4

No
147
39.5
137
37.6

Number of days for vigorous sports per week
1-2 days
144
63.7
150
65.5

3-4 days
71
31.4
64
27.9

≥5 days
11
4.9
15
6.6

Time spend for vigorous sports per day
<30 min
99
44.6
102
44.7

30–60 min
79
35.6
89
39.0

≥60 min
44
19.8
37
16.2

Moderate-intensity sports for at least 10 min
Yes
234
62.9
233
64.0

No
138
37.1
131
36.0

Number of days for moderate physical activities/sports per week
1-2 days
139
59.6
164
70.1

3-4 days
71
30.5
53
22.6

≥5 days
23
9.9
17
7.3

Time spend for moderate physical activities/sports per day
<30 min
73
31.3
74
31.6

30–60 min
103
44.2
122
52.1

≥60 min
57
24.5
68
16.3

Mode of transportation to and from school
On foot
309
83.1
163
44.8

By vehicle
63
16.9
201
55.2

Spend free time
Watching TV/video
147
39.5
158
43.4

Play mobile game
59
15.9
51
14.0

Extra home activity
154
41.4
148
40.7

Reading fiction
3
0.8
2
0.5

Playing with friends
5
1.3
2
0.5

Going to religious area
4
1.1
3
0.9

Time spent by watching TV/video
<2 hrs
168
46.0
159
44.5

2–3 hrs
136
37.3
136
38.1

≥3 hrs
61
16.7
62
17.4

Time spend sitting/reading per day
<3 hrs
206
55.4
228
62.6

3–5 hrs
135
36.3
115
31.6

≥5 hours
31
8.3
21
5.8

3.5. The Overall Magnitude of Overnutrition among Primary School Students in Gondar Town

The overall magnitude of overnutrition among children in primary schools of Gondar town was 9.1% with 95% CI (7.1–11.1), of which overweight accounted for 7.6% and obesity accounted for the rest, 1.5%. It was higher in female, 13% (10.6% overweight and 2.4% obese), than male, 5.1% (4.5% overweight and 0.6% obese), children. The comparison of magnitude of overnutrition among governmental and private school was calculated separately. The magnitude of overnutrition was higher among private school children, 14% (11.8% overweight and 2.2% obese), than government school children, 4.3% (3.5% overweight and 0.8% obese) (Figure 1).

Figure 1: The nutritional status of primary school students in Gondar town, 2019.

Comparison of magnitude of overnutrition among government and private primary school students.

The magnitude of overnutrition was higher in the private school students, 14%, with 95% CI (10.3–17.6) than the government school, 4.3%, with 95% CI (2.3–6.5). This difference was statistically significant ( value <0.001). The percentage of underweight among government school students was higher (37.1%) as compared to the students of private schools (28.2%) (Figure 2).

Figure 2: The comparison of nutritional status of primary school students in Gondar town, 2019.

3.6. Factors Associated with Overnutrition among Primary School Students

3.6.1. Factors Associated with Overnutrition among Government Schools

Bivariate analysis was carried out and six variables were associated with overnutrition among governmental schools. In multivariable analysis, two of them were found to be significantly associated. Children who had no close friend in the school or community were 3.7 times more likely to be overnourished as compared to those who had close friend (AOR = 3.72, 95% CI: 1.21–11.47), and children who had a habit of eating while watching television were four times more likely to be overnourished as compared to those who had no a habit of eating while watching television (AOR = 4.08, 95% CI: 1.10–15.16).

3.6.2. Factors Associated with Overnutrition among Private School Students

In the bivariate analysis, the factors associated with overnutrition among private primary school students, children who had father with no formal education were nearly 2.6 times more likely to be overnourished as compared to higher education (AOR = 2.59, 95%, CI:1.05–6.39); children who prefer sweet foods were 2.8 times more likely to develop overnutrition as compared to those who did not prefer sweet foods (AOR = 2.86, 95% CI:1.19–6.87); children who had a habit of eating while reading were nearly 5 times more likely to be overnourished as compared to those who did not have a habit of eating while reading (AOR = 4.95, 95% CI: 2.23–10.70); those who consumed fatty foods more than three days per week were 3.9 times more likely to develop overnutrition as compared to those who consumed fatty foods less than three times per week (AOR = 3.79, 95% CI: 1.61–8.91) and those not involved in vigorous-intensity sports were 2.4 times more likely to be over nourished (AOR = 2.23, 95% CI:1.02–4.86).

3.7. Overall Factors Associated with Overnutrition among Primary School Students

Children who attended their education in private schools were 3.3 times more likely to develop overnutrition as compared to government schools (AOR = 3.33, 95% CI: 1.58–7.03).

Children who prefer sweetened foods were 2.6 times more likely to be overnourished as compared to those who did not prefer sweetened foods (AOR = 2.66, 95% CI:1.24–5.72). Eating habit while reading was significantly associated with overnutrition (AOR = 3.52, 95% CI: 1.85–6.70), 3.5 times more likely to develop overnutrition as compared to those who did not have a habit of eating while reading. Children who consumed fatty foods more than three days per week were 3.5 times more likely to be overnourished as compared to those who did not consume fatty foods (AOR = 3.5, 95% CI: 1.60–7.65); those who consumed vegetables less than three days per week were 2.5 times more likely to develop overnutrition (AOR = 2.51, 95%CI: 1.23–5.04) and children who were not involved in vigorous-intensity sports were 2.7 times more likely to be overnourished as compared to those involved in vigorous-intensity sports (AOR = 2.7, 1.33–5.49) (Table 5).

Table 5: Multivariable logistic regression of factors associated with overnutrition among governmental primary school students, 2019 (n = 736).

Variables
Response
Overnutrition
COR (95% CI)
AOR (95% CI)
value

No
Yes

Factors associated with overnutrition among governmental primary school students

Sex
Male
185
2
1.0
1.0
0.331

Female
171
14
3.24 (1.02–10.25)
1.85 (0.53–6.46)

Close friend
Yes
287
5
1.0
1.0
0.022

No
69
11
5.34 (1.92–14.86)
3.72 (1.21–11.47)

Fat intake per week
No
163
4
1.0
1.0

1-2 days
105
4
1.55 (0.38–6.34)
1.97 (0.45–8.47)
0.362

≥3 days
88
8
3.70 ⁽1.08–12.64)
2.93 (0.80–10.72)
0.103

Eating while watching TV
Yes
190
13
3.78 (1.06–13.51)
4.08 (1.10–15.16)
0.035

No
166
3
1.0
1.0

Vigorous sports
Yes
220
5
1.0
1.0
0.253

No
136
11
3.56 (1.21–10.46)
2.26 (0.56–9.24)

Moderate sports
Yes
230
6
1.0
1.0
0.576

No
126
10
3.04 (1.08–8.56)
1.47 (0.37–5.80)

Factors associated with overnutrition among private primary school students

Sex
Male
155
16
1.0
1.0
0.737

Female
158
35
2.14 (1.14–4.03)
0.87 (0.39–1.93)

Father education
No formal
59
17
2.13 (1.05–4.31)
2.59 (1.05–6.39)
0.038

Primary
39
3
0.56 (0.16–2.00)
0.76 (0.16–3.55)
0.732

Secondary
60
10
1.23 (0.56–2.76)
1.93 (0.73–5.05)
0.181

Above college
155
21
1.0
1.0

Breakfast intake
Yes
291
42
1.0
1.0
0.264

No
22
9
2.83 (1.22–6.56)
1.90 (0.61–5.87)

Sweet food preference
Yes
175
43
4.23 (1.93–9.31)
2.86 (1.19–6.87)
0.018

No
138
8
1.0
1.0

Eating while reading
Yes
44
29
8.05 (4.25–15.27)
4.95 (2.29–10.70)
0.001

No
269
22
1.0
1.0

Fat intake per week
No
147
11
1.0
1.0

1-2 days
96
9
1.3 (0.50–3.13)
1.34 (0.48–3.71)
0.573

≥3 days
70
31
5.91 (2.81–12.45)
3.79 (1.61–8.91)
0.002

Walk/ride bicycle
Yes
278
35
1.0
1.0
0.441

No
35
16
2.63 (1.82–7.22)
1.46 (0.55–3.85)

Vigorous sports
Yes
211
16
1.0
1.0
0.042

No
102
35
4.52 (2.39–8.55)
2.23 (1.02–4.86)

Moderate sports
Yes
214
19
1.0
1.0
0.077

No
99
32
3.64 (1.96–6.73)
2.03 (0.92–4.48)

Factors associated with overnutrition among primary school students

School type
Government
356
16
1.0
1.0
0.002

Private
313
51
3.62 (2.02–6.48)
3.33 (1.58–7.03)

Sex
Male
340
20
1.0
1.0
0.302

Female
329
47
2.43 (1.41–4.18)
1.41 (0.73–2.73)

Close friend
Yes
542
44
1.0
1.0
0.206

No
127
23
2.23 (1.30–3.82)
1.55 (0.78–3.10)

Sweet food preference
Yes
387
56
3.71 (1.91–7.21)
2.66 (1.24–5.72)
0.012

No
282
11
1.0
1.0

Eating while watching TV
Yes
375
50
2.30 (1.30–4.08)
1.82 (0.89–3.74)
0.10

No
294
17
1.0
1.0

Eating while reading
Yes
98
34
6.0 (3.55–10.14)
3.52 (1.85–6.70)
0.001

No
571
33
1.0
1.0

Meat intake per week
No
227
15
1.0
1.0

1-2 days
285
30
1.59 (0.83–3.03)
0.73 (0.32–1.64)
0.451

≥3 days
157
22
2.12 (1.06–4.21)
0.64 (0.25–1.63)
0.358

Fat intake per week
No
310
15
1.0
1.0

1-2 days
201
13
1.33 (0.62–2.86)
1.40 (0.58–3.39)
0.445

≥3 days
158
39
5.10 (2.73–9.53)
3.50 (1.60–7.65)
0.002

Vegetable intake/week
<3 days
391
50
2.09 (1.18–3.70)
2.51 (1.23–5.04)
0.010

≥3 days
278
17
1.0
1.0

Walk/ride bicycle
Yes
564
46
1.0
1.0
0.124

No
105
21
2.45 (1.40–4.27)
1.83 (0.84–3.98)

Vigorous sports
Yes
431
21
1.0
1.0
0.006

No
238
46
3.96 (2.31–6.80)
2.70 (1.33–5.49)

Moderate sports
Yes
444
25
1.0
1.0
0.301

No
225
42
3.31 (1.97–5.57)
1.44 (0.72–2.89)

Means of transport
On foot
443
30
1.0
1.0

By vehicle
226
37
2.42 (1.45–4.01)
1.56 (0.76–3.20)
0.224

Time spent by watching TV
<3 hrs
303
24
1.0
1.0

3–5 hrs
248
24
1.22 (0.67–2.20)
0.95 (0.47–1.91)
0.898

≥5 hrs
106
17
2.02 (1.04–3.91)
1.43 (0.62–3.31)
0.410

Statistically significant at p value <0.05

4. Discussion

This study revealed the prevalence and associated factors of overnutrition among government and private primary school students in Gondar town. Accordingly, the overall prevalence of overnutrition was 9.1% (7.1–11.1). The school type specific prevalence of overnutrition was 14% among private and 4.3% among government schools which shows there was a significant difference in prevalence of overnutrition among private schools and government schools (). The possible explanation for this variation may be that those students attending private school are from families having good economic status compared to government school students. For this reason, private school students may consume foods that expose to obesity and overweight.

The overall prevalence of overnutrition in this study was comparable with the findings from studies conducted in Addis Ababa, Bole subcity; the overall prevalence of overnutrition among private and government schools was 9.8% [19] and in Lome Togo 7.1% [20] for both government and private. The overall prevalence of overnutrition in this study was slightly lower than studies conducted in Ethiopia: Addis Ababa 12.7% [21], Dire Dawa 20.5% [16], and Jimma town 13.3% [22]. This regional discrepancy might be due to environmental variation among the study cities and might be more urbanized than the study area. It also might be due to variation in eating habit and lifestyle across the population among Ethiopian. In Ethiopia, there are different cultural and religious practices which affect food preference and feeding habits; this directly affects the nutritional status of the children [23].

The overall prevalence in this study was also lower than studies conducted in Kenya, 19.0% (11); Tanzania, 22.6% (23) and another study in Tanzania, 20.0% [24]; Egypt, 31.2% [25]; Nigeria, 17.4% [9]; China, 17.5% [26] and 20% [27]; Ukraine, 17.6% [28]; Iran, 18.1% [28]; and Lithuania, 16.0% [29]. The difference might be due to the socioeconomic, cultural, and lifestyle difference between those countries. This variation could also be due to difference in culture of physical activities since there is habit of using on-foot travel in the study area and less exposure to sedentary lifestyle than other nations due to less access to vehicle as compared to other countries.

Children in private primary school had a higher proportion of overnutrition (14%) than that of the children of government primary schools (4.3%). This finding is supported by the findings of the studies conducted in different areas of the world: Addis Ababa 16.0% private and 4.3% government [21], Dire Dawa 45.6% private and 11.0% government [16], Bole subcity 8.1% private and government 1.7% [19], Kenya 23.6% private and 7.3% government [30], and in another study in Kenya 29.0% private and 11.5% government [11]; in Tanzania, the prevalence was higher among private than government with [31], Egypt 57% private and 42.3% but much higher than this study, Iran [28], Mysore city, India14.9% private and 0.2% government [32], and in another study India 27.9% among private and only 2.45% among government [33]. This discrepancy might be because parents with higher socioeconomic background of private school children would expose them for higher adoption of unhealthy dietary habits (energy-dense foods, sweetened foods, and fatty animal products) and sedentary lifestyle due to transportation to and from school by vehicle than government school children.

The associated factors of overnutrition among government schools were eating habit of children while watching TV. This finding is in line with the study conducted in Addis Ababa, Bole subcity [19]. Another study conducted in India [34] showed that overnutrition was much higher among those who had a habit of watching TV for more than three hours per day and studies in eight European countries stated that eating habit while watching TV was a significant factor for overnutrition. It was found that the negative relationship between never watching TV at meal and overnutrition still remain significant [35]. Watching TV while eating might allow less attention to meal and result in eating more for longer duration of time which causes overfeeding. Therefore, the body may get extra calories more than the body requires to be properly utilized which are excess for specially already sedentary lifestyle [36].

Children who had no close friend in the school or community among government school students were associated with overnutrition. This finding was consistent with a study conducted in Dire Dawa [16]. This might be because children who had no close friend are exposed to sedentary lifestyle; usually, they do not play outdoor games or physical exercise alone but rather they stay at home and consume more calories. In addition, they may be addicted to electronic game and watching TV which further exposed to overweight and obesity.

According to this finding, low parental education among private schools was significantly associated with overnutrition. This finding was in agreement with other studies conducted in Jimma [22] and Lithuania [29], but in Pakistan [37], it was higher level of education that was associated with overnutrition. This might be because parents with lower educational status may not have adequate knowledge regarding nutrition, food diversity, feeding condition, and exercise because these are the important characteristics the parents should have for better nutritional management of their children and good health outcome.

Children in private schools and overall sample, who preferred sweetened foods, were more likely to be overnourished as compared to those who did not prefer sweetened foods. This finding was similar to other different studies, Addis Ababa [21], Dire Dawa [16], Saudi Arabia [38], and India [39] which revealed that sweetened foods preference was found to be significantly associated with overnutrition. This is because private schools children might have less restriction on food and snack choices compared with those in government schools [40]. This might also be because sweetened food items are energy-dense foods which result in positive energy balance to their consumers and sweet foods contain high sugar content which results in weight gain and becoming overweight [41].

The current study found a significant association between reduced vegetable (consumption less than three days per week), but not fruit, intake. Vegetable consumption was significantly associated with overnutrition among the overall (both private and government) in children. This result was similar to a study conducted in Jimma [22] and Saudi Arabia [38]. However, longitudinal studies among overweight children and adults showed marked associations between increased consumption of fruits and vegetables and slower weight gain, but only one-half of the children longitudinal studies indicated significant inverse associations between fruit and vegetable intake and overnutrition [42]. There is a fact that vegetable consumption can be one aspect of weight balancing and reduction of overweight [42].

Fat consumption more than three days per week was significantly associated with overnutrition among private school and overall in this study. This finding is consistent with studies conducted in Addis Ababa [21], Bole subcity [19], and Romania [43]. According to another study conducted in Switzerland [44], this might be because dietary fat induces overconsumption and weight gain through its low satiety properties and high caloric density which leads to overnutrition [45]. This might also be due to causal relation between dietary fat and body fat, consumption of more fatty foods lead to surplus energy storage in the adipose tissue [46].

In his study, overnutrition was higher among private school and overall children who had a habit eating while reading than those who did not have this habit. This finding was supported by other studies [36]. This may be due to the fact that those students attending school in private come from high-income family. Related with high income, those students may eat high-calorie food and may have sedentary lifestyle.

This study found that children in private and overall sample who did not engage in physical exercise were significantly associated with overnutrition. The finding that overnutrition was associated with lower levels of physical activity highlights the important role that physical activity, particularly vigorous activity, plays in preventing childhood obesity. The present findings were consistent with the growing evidence showing that physical inactivity is a leading factor in obesity during childhood and adolescence [47]. This finding was highly supported by several studies conducted in different areas, Addis Ababa [21], Dire Dawa [16], Jimma [22], Lagos Nigeria [48], Saudi Arabia [48], India [4], India [39], Romania [43], and Central Java [5], which revealed that physical inactivity (sedentary lifestyle) has been a well-documented cause of overnutrition in children.

In private schools, the low level of physical activity could be due to several reasons. Most of the children in private are either driven in car to school by their parents or use the school service (bus). This might expose them to energy storage without expenditure, in contrast to the government school most of the children travel to school on foot [49].

5. Conclusion

The overall prevalence of overnutrition in Gondar town was 9.1%. The prevalence of overnutrition was significantly higher among children in private schools (14%) than government schools (4.3%). Among the factors, eating habit while watching television and not having close friend are important factors contributing to overnutrition among children in government schools. No formal father education, sweet food preference, fat consumption more than three days per week, eating habit while reading, and not engaging in vigorous-intensity sports are important factors contributing to the high prevalence among private school children.

Abbreviations

AOR: | Adjusted odds ratio
BAZ: | BMI for age Z-score
BMI: | Body mass index
CDC: | Center of Disease Control
DBM: | Double burden of malnutrition
FANT: | Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance
GPAQ: | Global Physical Activity Questionnaire
HDDS: | Household Dietary Diversity Score
NCD: | Noncommunicable diseases
SES: | Socioeconomic status
SPSS: | Statistical Product and Service Solution
TSFT: | Triceps Skin Fold Thickness
WHO: | World Health Organization.

Data Availability

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included within this article.

Ethical Approval

Ethical clearance was obtained from the ethical review committee of University of Gondar. Before the beginning of data collection, permission letter was obtained from Gondar town educational bureau and from each school. Then, the participants of the study were informed about the purpose of the study, the importance of their participation, and their right to withdraw at any time.

Consent

A verbal informed consent and assent form was obtained prior to data collection.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Authors’ Contributions

M. S. A. theorized the research problem, designed the study, conducted field work, analyzed the data, and prepared the manuscript. C. W. K. and C. A. W. contributed in theorizing the research problem, revision of the research design, statistical analysis, and write-up. All authors of the manuscript have read and agreed to its content.

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Gondar town primary schools, data collectors, and supervisors of the study. The authors also acknowledge University of Gondar for financial support for data collection. Finally, special gratitude goes to the participants of the study who shared their time to give their genuine responses.

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